Police work to make nights safer in Gladstone

Sherele MoodyNews Corp journalist Sherele Moody started her career in the media more than 25 years ago. She reports across a broad range of topics including and has an extensive background in data analysis and statistics-based journalism. She also specialises in opinion and feature writing on gendered violence and women’s issues. Sherele is the recipient of the 2018 BandT Women in Media Social Change Maker Award and has multiple Clarion and Walkley Our Watch journalism excellence awards for her work reducing...

Of the 1779 notices given across the 15 sites statewide, Surfers Paradise topped the ladder with 128 bans, 172 public nuisance notices and 43 move on notices.

Across the 10 regional precincts, Airlie Beach was the stand-out with 82 bans making up its 125 infringements.

Gladstone had the 10th highest number of bans and the fourth lowest number of total notices across the precincts.

The four-year $44 million State Government strategy focuses on wiping out drunken late night violence through education, the safe night precincts and other programs.

Safe Night Out executive responsible officer Assistant Commissioner Mike Condon said the transitory workforce could lead to problems.

"We have a high number of fly-in fly-out and permanent workers working on major projects who have come from the inland and are using Gladstone as a base, or they are on Curtis Island where they come back to the mainland for stand-down periods," he said.

"From time to time you see alcohol-related issues (from these workers), in particular anti-social behaviour occurring within our licensed premises in the Gladstone main street areas."

The architect of the strategy, Brisbane Central MP Robert Cavallucci, said it was too soon to tell if the precincts would make a difference.

It's probably in line with expectations and it's going extremely well in terms of the issuing of the banning notices," Mr Cavallucci said.

- APN NEWSDESK

Be a part of the #HandsOff Promise

HERE's how you can get involved in the #HandsOff campaign.

By taking the promise, you pledge:

• Not to participate in, or condone by being silent, any form of street or late-night violence; and

• To report any incidents of such violence to the relevant establishment and authorities